The Lib Dem leader reiterated there will be "no circumstances whatsoever" in which his party will enter into coalition with Labour or the Conservatives after next month's vote.

He also dismissed an informal arrangement to offer his party's support on budget measures and other key votes to help a minority Tory or Labour administration.

Challenged about the prospect on ITV 1's Peston On Sunday, Mr Farron replied: "No supply and confidence, no coalition, no deal."

Tim Farron speaking during Prime Ministers questions in the House of Commons (AFP/Getty Images)

Asked if his party would prop up a minority government, Mr Farron said: "No, because what is very clear at this moment is that we have an official Opposition which has not been behaving like an alternative government but is not even behaving like an opposition.

"It's neither fish nor fowl on the biggest issue that has faced us for generations.

"What Britain needs in this election is clarity and a contest. Theresa May has called this election because she believes it'll be a coronation.

"The Liberal Democrats are determined to make it a contest with a clear alternative position, and I don't want people thinking a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a proxy for anything else."

Mr Farron also came under fire over his failure to state gay sex is not a sin.

He was challenged over his stance after The Observer reported he failed to fully answer questions about gay sex when asked.

Mr Farron was pressed to clarify his position on the ITV show and said "being gay is not a sin" before adding he was "getting tired of this line of questioning" when asked to be unambiguous on the matter.